US Strike Targets Al-Shabab In Somalia

"On June 11, at approximately 2 a.m. eastern daylight time, the Department of Defense conducted a strike operation against al-Shabaab in Somalia", said Dana White, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson in a statement.

Military officials said the United States had seen no reports that any civilians were killed.

Unspecified American military aircraft struck a terrorist nerve center in Somalia on Sunday, an operation believed to have killed eight al-Qaida loyalists who've staged repeated attacks on USA allies in the region.

Farmajo described the raid which took place on Sunday near Sakow as "successful strike" and destroyed a key Al-Shabaab command and supply hub.

Af Urur lies near the Galgala hills, an area controlled by al Shabaab.

The official said more such strikes should be expected now that U.S. and Somali officials have analyzed potential targets that could be attacked using the new authorities Trump approved.

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The militant group launched its own insurgency on major Somali cities in 2009, taking control of Mogadishu and southern Somalia.

It was a drone strike, a USA official said on condition of anonymity.

A USA official stressed in March that the US military will not be able to make unilateral decisions for airstrikes.

The US military has been training African Union and Somali forces in the country.

But al-Shabaab remains a strong presence in the southern and central regions, orchestrating sporadic gun and bomb attacks.

There have not been any reports of USA casualties. This will ultimately disrupt the enemy's ability to conduct new attacks within Somalia, " Farmajo is quoted.

"To the members of [al-Shabab], I tell you that we are bringing the fight to you", Farmajo said in his statement.